He added: 'He would be the first to admit his fitness is not at the levels we look for at this football club. He's not quite on it, but he is getting there.

'It took Dave Kitson a long time to settle into the way we do things, but he's got there now and is doing very well for us.

'I have no doubt whatsoever that Tunny will have a massive part to play here.

'He will be away with Turkey again for another couple of weeks, but things will settle down after that.'

Tuncay could be in line for his first Premier League start at Everton on Sunday, especially as Ricardo Fuller is still struggling with a groin injury which forced him to miss Saturday's defeat to Manchester United.

Pulis said: 'Ric did some jogging with the physio on Tuesday but he missed training on Wednesday with flu symptoms and we will have to see how he goes. It will be a late decision.

'It's going to be another very tough game at Everton but we've washed the United defeat out of our system and I'm sure the players will bounce back and give it their best shot.'